February 19, 2012 Your Home: Bedrooms

10 ways to update your home without breaking the bank

These manageable improvement projects–from redoing a bathroom to adding a dormer–will increase your satisfaction with your home while adding to its value. By Elizabeth Gehrman

Michael J. Lee

The art of the guest room

A condo’s dual-purpose den, a former porch, and a century-old garage demonstrate three ways to keep visitors comfy. By Jaci Conry

Perspective

What the MFA owes Boston

Why the MFA’s director should stop complaining about the city looking for money and start opening his wallet. By Eric Weinberger

First Person/Alex Ochoa

Alex Ochoa on spring training

The new Red Sox first base coach talks about Florida . . . and Japanese game shows. By Shira Springer

Illustration by Kim Rosen

Coupling

Walk with her

Traipsing the neighborhood together works wonders for our marriage. By Howard Scott

Dinner With Cupid

Blind date brunch

They both love the midday ritual. But will a daytime get-together really satisfy?

Cooking

Recipes for blood oranges

In these recipes, blood oranges flavor sherbet, salad, and a sweet-sour sauce for fish. By Adam Ried

Kitchen Aide

Recipe for blood orange mimosas

Striking to both the eye and the palate, blood oranges’ reddish flesh ranges from pale pink to deep merlot, sometimes in the same fruit.

Miss Conduct

Miss Conduct’s advice on unwelcome guests and nosy clerks

Do you need to invite your mother’s boorish new beau to family functions? Plus, are drugstore clerks allowed to read your greeting cards? By Robin Abrahams

Style Watch

Using a hat to declare your personality

No fashion accessory declares your personality quite like a hat. By Tina Sutton

On the Block

One-bedroom homes for sale in Massachusetts

Find your cozy retreat in Charlestown, Manchester-by-the-Sea, or Norwell. By Vanessa Parks

Behind the Scene

High-jumper Chris McDowell at his home

Globe photographer Matthew J. Lee got this remarkable shot of Hingham High high-jumper Chris McDowell hopping effortlessly onto his kitchen counter.

Tales From the City

Only a game

Two fresh perspectives on the Super Bowl.

Letters

Letters to the editor

Globe Magazine readers respond to stories from recent issues, including Neil Swidey’s account of New England’s groaning electrical grid, “What If the Lights Go Out?”